From Vine to Wine
Ever wonder, about how grapes become this perplexing yet marvelous potion? An elixir if you will, just sitting ever so reposed upon our fine dining tables? A drink as old as time itself awaits our indulgence, after a long day, in merriment with friends, or in times of quiet reflection.
Truly, it is an amazing concoction, contrivance, a medley of fascinations. Wine is akin to a wonderful novel. It captures you, sustains you, and from time to time…moves you to draw back in contemplation and wonderment of its very essence. The ancients of Greece, Rome, Egypt and even as far back as Mesopotamia, understood the importance of Wine. Vitis Vinifera, the original Wine Grape, believed to originate somewhere deep in the Caucasian Mountains occupies our homes still to this day. To inherit such a custom from so long ago is nothing less than astounding.
Consider the steps we take today to continue enjoying a piece of unsurpassed history.
Harvesting The Grape
When it comes time to cultivate the grape clusters, Wine Producers carefully choose the perfect time for the type of wine they will be producing. Sampling the grapes from different parts of the vineyard is common in the decision-making process. An early harvest will produce a thinner, less sugary, low-alcohol wine, whereas a later harvest can produce the opposite. Grapes are then hand-picked or mechanically harvested, put into buckets and then large bins to be washed and sorted.
Pressing The Grape
These days, the crushing of grapes is done by machinery. As grapes get sorted on wide moving belts, they move into crushing bins. These crushing bins often have the ability to separate grapes from their skins as well (known as Must.) Grapes made without their skins (the Must) turn into the delicious White Wines we are so fond of. Although crushing of the grapes by foot is becoming rare, groups of people around the world still hold to this tradition, as a celebration ceremony to bring in good wine.
Juice Separation
Separating the juice is often called “Racking.” There are many ways to accomplish this part of the wine making process. After the grapes are crushed, must, sediment and wine barnacles float freely in the liquid…changing its composition as we know it. Many Producers use stainless steel tanks and filter hoses, moving the juice several times from one vat to another. Similarly, and like the days of old, some Producers use wooden barrels made of Oak or French Oak, to achieve this goal. The juice is then left in the barrels to settle for many days and weeks. After sediment has made its way to the bottom, the barrels are gently filtered or poured out into larger barrels or tubs (and is repeated to perfection.)
Fermentation
The process of fermenting has a certain complexity, which may differ with one Winery to another. Often, Wine-makers leave the must, skin, seeds, and all, for an accomplished wine. In this case “cap management” is necessary to move liquids and solids around regularly, such that the fermentation process is guaranteed to continue. Temperatures of 77F (for reds) and 68F (for whites) are recommended, however, is not set in stone per se. Varied levels of sugar and yeast are checked and added, along with preventative measures of oxidation. Just as temperature maintenance is important for the yeast to stay alive and active, sugar management is also necessary, as the yeast feeds on the sugar. This then results in the famous alcoholic, vintage-drink, enjoyed now for centuries.
Cheers!
A Wine Of A Time!
Looking to start the Autumn season with some Zazz?
How about Hosting a Party!
If you’re feeling rusty at playing the host or hostess, here are some refreshers to infuse some fun into your well-earned festivities with friends and family!
1) Get a theme going! Theme parties help clue your guests into the type of celebration you’re having: Loud and Exciting, Quiet and Elegant, Relaxed, Intensely Conversational, or just an “anything goes motif.”
Remember, the sky is the limit, so don’t resign yourself to the commonplace get-together if you’re looking for something a little more exceptional.
A few party theme ideas might be:
- A Safari/Jungle Party
- A 1920’s Party
- A Woodland Party (and stargazing)
- A Murder Mystery Party (with dinner scripts)
- A Vintage Party (everyone brings an impressive antique)
2) Be sure to send out your invitations well in advance, and check the local community event-dates which might otherwise usher your guests off in another direction.
3) Be sensitive to your guests food allergies/needs. Make sure there is something for everyone to nibble on, and while you’re sampling your hors d’ oeuvres go ahead and un-cork a bottle! It’s important to enjoy yourself as you plan the party and its food pairing ideas. (Click on Tasting Notes to get a feeling for our wine and the flavor they can bring to a dish.)
4) Welcome your company in at the door with their choice of beverage, as you introduce them to at least one other guest. This helps everyone to feel appreciated and ready to mingle with others.
5) Make sure you are enjoying yourself as the festivities commence! Don’t wait to have fun, or get too caught up in having every detail perfect…a relaxed host/hostess is important in guiding a party to its most potential.
6) Complete your evening with a delectable dessert. As the evening winds down, ensure your friends and family are contented with one last taste of something fabulous before they depart.
Join us at Rosella’s to sample some really great wine for an amazing bash!
Cheers!
A Feeling of Summer and Wine
Summer is an amazing time to set out to new adventures! For the month of August particularly, there seems to be such specialness in the flow of nature all around. Think of the famous flower “Lily of the Nile” in its entire periwinkle splendor, or the “Bee Balm” and its flowing fountain of fuchsia. The blossoming “Plum Tree” gives us a constant moving cloud of soft pink! Everything is teaming with life that all we need to do, is step out of the house for a moment to catch a glimpse of the famous Rufous Hummingbird. Or, if we’re really looking we might be lucky and catch a rarer glimpse of Costa’s Hummingbird, with its magical hues of purples and blues. Whether we’re out setting up to stargaze, reading under a large oak, enjoying a bountiful picnic, or rafting and being with friends, there is no mistaking that Summer has a lot in common with…
You guessed it… Wine!
In these magnificent summery days, Indulging in a good glass of wine brings so much to us. With its friendly flavored currents, one could ponder all evening its commonalities with the season. Wine is: relaxing, nostalgic, exciting, alluring, invigorating… humorous…? Sure… why not!
Here is a bit of ancient entertainment to show you Wine’s witty side!
Pythagoras is a well-known historical figure who lived in ancient Greece. He was a Master Mathematician, Philosopher, Star Gazer, and Inventor (…to name a few.) Pythagoras’ specialty was creating clever inventions to help mankind advance. A most intriguing invention known today is, “The Greedy Cup” or more correctly “The Pythagorean Cup.” It looks like a regular cup… but wait, fill it past its middle mark and out goes the contents through the bottom! (Now… I know what you’re thinking, but worry not you’ll find no trick glasses here!) In the times of Pythagoras, water and wine were sometimes scarce, so he engineered a way to mediate the masses intake of supply. So, may we say “Cheers” to appreciating ‘A Good Solid Cup O’ Wine!’
See The Greedy Cup in Action here “The Pythagorean cup – the vessel that spills its content if you’re too greedy.”
We hope you’re enjoying these Summer days and evenings; and hope to see you at Rosella’s wine tasting room for a bit of relaxation, excitement, good atmosphere, and fun! If you decide to take home a little something for yourself, don’t be afraid to get an extra bottle as a stow-away “Winter Nugget” of these warm Summer days!
Applegate Valley Wine Trail
